What do you think is the future of energy and which is the best source of energy, according to you?

Answer 1

The sun, when it burns out we are all gone anyway.

Answer 2

As answered by others currently we rely on fossil fuel for the majority of energy needs. Unfortunately we have already used half of all oil and gas, the remainder will be increasingly difficult to obtain, and demand is going up. Therefore, in the future (certainly within 10-20 years) gas and oil will become very expensive as availability decreases. For a good overview read "The Long Emergency", by James Kunstler.

There are currently no viable alternatives.

This might seem an unlikely statement, but it is based on the fact that gas and oil as an energy source for transport and work such as road building (i.e. heavy equipment) cannot be readily replaced by electricity. Also most electricity comes from fossil fuel fired plants (coal, gas, oil) so electricity itself will be problematic UNTIL alternative generating capacity can be built based on nuclear, geothermal, wave action, wind, solar or similar energy sources (all of which depend on gas and oil to build and maintain the infrastructure!).

Many claim hydrogen is the answer, but that is doubtful -- at least as a direct replacement -- simply because the energy density is so much lower than oil or gas. To understand this (and assuming the infrastructure were in place ... which it isn't) note that to replace the energy output of one (1) tanker trailer load of gasoline would require twenty (20) equivalent sized trucks of liquified hydrogen. It ain't going to happen.

So in future (barring the unlikely discovery in the next 5 years or so of an entirely new source of energy and the commercialization of it (building of the necessary distribution and utilization infrastructure) in the subsequent 5-10 years) the conclusion is that we are going to have to radically change our lifestyle to lower our energy requirements.

One of our biggest problems is that the public willpower to change does not exist, nor does our political system facilitate the development of a consensus on what is the preferred approach. And because of the massive capital cost and timeframe required to implement any remotely viable approach it is highly unlikely anything viable will be available before gas and oil start to run out and wars start to keep or obtain a greater share of the dwindling supply.

Bottom line, if you are a realist, is the world is likely to see global wars, disease, starvation and massive shrinkage of total population and in the long term MAY (if the survivors do not revert to the stoneage) develop a combination of solar/wind and (maybe) fusion combined with a much more environmentally sustainable life style.

You asked !!!!

That said, in the long run

Answer 3

There are three sources I can think of that we can use.

#1... Wind is the most available for electricity generation and the easiest to tap into. One commercial windmill can produce enough to power 40 homes.

#2.. Solar is the most easy to use source for electricity and can be used anywhere the sun shines. This is good for remote areas that would otherwise need lines run out to them.

#3... Is bio-oils from hemp (not marijuana) for heating oil/diesel fuel. Then there are regular farm crops such as corn, soy and potatoes that can be used to replace gasoline. This is basically moonshine alcohol.

Unfortunately with the current regime in Washington being from the petroleum industry it will be a while before this happens.

Answer 4

This could turn out to be your least scientific answer, but...
I think we will eventually switch away from non-renewable sources of fuels, like fossil fuels which we rely so heavily on today. I believe we will begin to harvest energy from wind, sun, water currents, solar heat, maybe cold fusion... and of course, nuclear as well
We are living in the age of the end of coal and fossil fuels - that seems pretty clear.

Answer 5

Near future = Hydrogen fuel cells!

Fusion if the physicists can ever figure out how to make it work safely and cheaply!

Answer 6

Hydrogen is the best bet for the future.

Answer 7

i think its going to b the hydrogen...in near future...as it has highest calorific value ..renewable..safe cheap easily available...